You don't have to spend a lot of money to have a great time during your vacation to Perdido Key, Florida. The fun you'll have on the beaches is priceless, but you can also visit plenty of historical sites in nearby Pensacola for free.

3 things to do for free near Perdido Key

Everyone likes a good deal, and when your Perdido Key vacation is chock full of fee-based recreational activities and dinners out, it helps to find some things to do in the area that are easy on the wallet.

Whether you're pinching pennies or just looking for a different type of experience, here are three things you can do for free near Perdido Key, Florida.

Discover the history of naval aviation

Pensacola is the closest major city to Perdido Key, and it's known as the "cradle of Naval Aviation." As such, it's also home to the National Naval Aviation Museum, where a great number of naval aircraft are on display for visitors to explore. Admission to the museum is free, and staff members also give free tours of the facility that explain the many exhibitions and offer insight into naval aviation history. Lucky visitors may catch a practice session by the Blue Angels. These flight demonstration practices are free and the tentative schedule is posted online, so you may want to keep that handy as you plan your trip.

Learn about Native American cultures

The Perdido Bay Tribe of the Southeastern Lower Muscogee Creek Indians has a vibrant culture they are proud to share with visitors at their Native Paths Cultural Heritage Museum in Pensacola. The museum showcases Muscogee art and other artifacts of the tribe's heritage that will be fascinating for visitors young and old. Kids might be particularly excited about the museum's educational programs, which allow them to create traditional Native American crafts and participate in other activities.

Revisit U.S. history

The Perdido Key and Pensacola areas are rich in U.S. history, and visitors can experience this at Fort Barrancas, which sits on a bluff overlooking Pensacola Bay. This National Parks Service site was originally constructed out of dirt and logs in 1763 by the British, but the Spanish then built two forts at the site in 1797. Today, visitors see the American-engineered Water Battery that was built in 1840, with the nearby masonry connected by a tunnel.

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Yelp recently named the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola to its Top 20 list of Museums in the United States. It is the largest Naval Aviation Museum in the world and is one of the most visited museums in the state of Florida.

The weather along Alabama and Florida's Gulf Coast is always pleasant. If staying at a Perdido Key area beach house or condo rental the first full weekend of November, consider the Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival, where you can enjoy the beautiful sunshine while perusing crafts, visiting artists' tents and listening to live music.

Perdido Key State Park offers visitors a picturesque place to fish, swim or explore the environment. With many activities to choose from and a breathtaking setting serving as the backdrop, this park, located on the barrier island, is a great spot for families to visit.

Whether it's a rainy day or the warm sun is shining brightly, a visit to the National Museum of Naval Aviation should be on your itinerary while staying at a Gulf Shores area rental, especially if you're bringing your kids along with you.

Ready for an unforgettable retreat with your family and friends? All roads lead to the Gulf Coast of Alabama, where you can enjoy the most modern activities or explore antiques and history, and learn all about alligators.

If you're in the mood to lose yourself in a state of pure relaxation, the time has come for you to take a trip to Perdido Key, Florida, where you can forget about your stressful life and spend your days enjoying the beautiful sunshine along the Gulf Coast.

The National Naval Aviation Museum is home to a fantastic array of retired aircrafts and educational exhibits, all of which are designed to inform and entertain guests. Visitors of any age will be able to enjoy the fascinating look at a section of U.S. military history.

Between sessions of soaking up the rays on the beaches of Fort Morgan, Alabama, take some time to show your kids a little bit of history. The remnants of this historic fort illustrate the protective barrier used by soldiers during times of war.